SSG STEVEN RAY CHANDLER RIP, SSG Chandler and I met my first day in E Troop.We shared a room on the third floor. I knew from the day we met, that it was going to be a life long friendship. Little did I know how much impact, each of us would have on one another. In March 1976, I was notified by the red cross, that I needed to go on emergency leave. My wife was having major surgery on her female parts. I requested a $200.00 dollar GRANT, something that I would not have to pay back. They turned me down. I went back to the barracks not knowing what to do. Steve stepped up to me and said without hesitation how much do you need. I told him around 2 hundred. he reached for his wallet and pulled out 2 100 dollar bills.I said Steve I can't take this, I don't even know if I'll be returning. He looked at me and said "Brother, your wife needs you, more than I need this two hundred dollars, take it and go home to your family." On that day I knew I would never lose touch with him.
After my Broken Neck, and my ultimate discharge, I made it my business to know where he was at all times. In 1986, he came to visit me in St. Louis, MO. I was so excited to see him, I just wanted to hug him, so I did. He brought his fiance with him, little did I know, that I was being set up.
Finally, after the first week, he broke the news to me. I had been CHOSEN to stand up for him and my wife was to be the brides maid. He told me that he did not want a traditional wedding. So that put my little scheming mind into motion. After all the blood work and license had been taken care of.
I mentioned to a friend of mine, who was a minister, if he had ever married anyone on top of a steamliner. He said no, so I called another friend of mine who just happened to be the manager on what used to be a big tourist attraction in St, Louis. They had turned the Admineral Ship, into a floating restaurant. So That was where he got Married.
Comment Wall (7 comments)
You need to be a member of Dragoon Base to add comments!
Join Dragoon Base
Hey Darrell, I remember you from 76. I was in 1/75th FA then( Sep 73-Dec 76), then to Benning til Apr 78, then back to Bamberg to the Cav. Worked as Cav CIF NCO for the S-4. Glad to hear you're still Kickin. Do you remember SP4 Bill Cowers or Cowgers? We coached a kids baseball team together. Oh well, thought I would say Hi. I remember SSG Watters too. Take care, Tom
You may not remember me, But I recall you . espesaly when you metioned the broken neck. I damn sure remember Trobough and his primadona ways. Had to
fight tooth and nails to be transfered to HHT to become CSM Smiths driver. Hi to you trooper, Glad to hear about the 100% er. I am still fighting for my rating
increase after 30 years.
Thanks for writing back.
Willie
They had a major change of command in the regiment and I lost all my contacts. Gonna take a little bit to re-establish them.
Dave
Welcome to the new DragoonBase, the site has plenty of newer features, lots of sub-groups,(ie,F-Trp,Amberg,Medics,etc.) and links for 2nd Cav News and History.
Robb Russell has posted some tips for navigating the site(ie,photos,ect) in the Forum.
And his only wish that ‘We keep it clean’, use our real names/with pictures, and you tell all your friends about the new DragoonBase.
Thanks Again for joining,
Jesse Kelley